Rockville, MD
Internal Medicine Research Site
Meridian's Rockville, MD (Internal Medicine) location partners with Rockville Internal Medicine Group (RIMG) to perform clinical studies for a broad range of investigational treatments. Studies at this site explore vaccines and medicines developed to treat migraines, diabetes, acne, depression, high cholesterol, and other conditions.
About this research site
Meridian partners with physicians at Rockville Internal Medicine Group (RIMG) to conduct clinical research studies in the Rockville/Potomac area. RIMG has cared for generations of Montgomery County families for more than half a century. Founded in 1952 by Dr. Steven Jones, the first board-certified internist in Rockville, the practice has developed into a thriving multi-specialty group. RIMG's physician-led care team provides for every patient’s health care needs and coordinates care across the healthcare system.
Clinical trials for healthy adults and more
This office is very active in research and has numerous active studies. In addition to vaccine studies for people of all ages, typical studies at this site explore medicines developed to treat conditions such as:
- Acne
- C. diff
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Heart failure
- Influenza vaccine
- Meningitis
- Overactive bladder
- Osteoarthritis
- Type 2 diabetes
- Ulcerative colitis
- Weight loss
Join a clinical trial in Rockville
For more information about joining a study in Rockville, complete the form at the bottom of this page. After you submit your information, a Meridian enrollment specialist will call you to talk about available studies. There is no obligation to join — you decide if the study is right for you.
Participating in a study is an important decision — we’re here to help you before, during, and after studies.
Phone: (912) 623-2240 (call center)
Phone: (240) 698-2800 (clinic)
Meridian Clinical Research
1201 Seven Locks Road, Suite 111
Rockville, MD 20854
Clinical Research Partner Website
rimgmd.com
Hours
Monday, 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Upcoming research studies in Rockville
Sign up below to speak with an enrollment specialist about available studies or follow Meridian on Facebook for study updates and more.
Meridian's internal medicine clinical research site in Rockville, MD is located inside Rockville Internal Medicine Group.
Meet Your Physicians
Every clinical trial is overseen by a Principal Investigator – a physician who is responsible for the rights, safety and welfare of the study participants. Research studies at our Rockville research site are conducted in partnership with the following physicians at RIMG.
Alan Pollack, MD
Dr. Pollack serves in a managerial position at RIMG in addition to seeing and treating patients as both a primary care physician and a pulmonary consultant. He specializes in pulmonary medicine and internal medicine.
- Board certified in Pulmonary Medicine and Internal Medicine.
- Graduated from University of Maryland in College Park, MD with a Bachelor of Science Degree.
- Graduated from Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD with a Doctor of Medicine degree.
- Completed an internal medicine internship at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.
- Completed an internal medicine residency at Georgetown University Hospital.
- Completed a pulmonary medicine fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital.
- Fellow of American College of Chest Physicians. Member American College of Physicians, and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
Ira Berger, MD
Dr. Berger joined RIMG in 1993. He specializes in asthma, chronic cough, and COPD. Dr. Berger has been listed as a Washingtonian Top Doctor every year since 2005 and a Top Doctor in the Washington Consumers Checkbook every year since 2007.
- Board certified in Internal Medicine.
- Graduated from Tufts University in Medford, MA with a Bachelor of Science degree.
- Graduated from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York, NY with a Doctor of Medicine degree.
- Completed an internal medicine residency at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA.
- Completed an internal medicine fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.
- Currently serves as a Clinical Instructor at Georgetown University. Served as a Clinical Instructor at George Washington University from 2005-2013.
- Fellow of American College of Chest Physicians. Member of American College of Physicians.
S. Grace Woo, MD
Dr. Woo specializes in gastroenterology and internal medicine and works closely with her patients to help them achieve optimal health. Dr. Woo speaks English, Spanish, and Korean.
- Board certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine.
- Graduated from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Graduated from University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD with a Doctor of Medicine degree.
- Graduated from George Washington University in Washington, DC with a Master in Public Health degree.
- Completed an internal medicine internship at State University of New York in Stony Brook, NY.
- Completed an internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, MD.
- Completed a gastroenterology fellowship at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC.
Belen Tesfaye, MD
Dr. Tesfaye specializes in gastroenterology and internal medicine. She speaks English and Amharic, which is the official language in Ethiopia.
- Board certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine.
- Graduated from Jimma University in Jimma, Ethiopia with a Bachelor of Medicine degree and a Bachelor of Surgery degree.
- Completed an internal medicine internship at Black Lion University Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Completed an internal medicine residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC.
- Completed a gastroenterology internship at Howard University Hospital.
- Member of American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society, and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
Shishir Khetan, MD
Dr. Khetan joined RIMG in 2004. He specializes in diabetes, exercise stress testing, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and preventative health. He is listed as a Consumer Checkbook Top Doctor.
- Board certified in Internal Medicine.
- Graduated from University of Maryland in College Park, MD with a Bachelor of Science Degree.
- Graduated from University of West Indies Faculty of Medicine in Kingston, Jamaica with a Doctor of Medicine degree.
- Completed an internal medicine internship at Elmhurst Hospital Center in New York, NY.
- Completed am internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai Medical School in New York, NY where he served as Chief Resident.
- Member of American College of Physicians and American Medical Association.
Asefa Mekonnen, MD, FCCP, FAASM
Dr. Mekonnen is passionate about Sleep Medicine and working closely with his patients across the Rockville area to help them achieve their optimal health.
- Board certified in Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine
- Graduated from Addis Ababa University Faculty of Medicine in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with a Doctor of Medicine degree.
- Completed an internal medicine internship and residency at University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, IL.
- Completed an sleep medicine fellowship at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University in Chicago, IL.
- Member of American College of Physicians (ACP)
Rahul Patel, MD
Dr. Patel joins RIMG after having served as a Johns Hopkins Community Physician in Maryland. In addition to general internal medicine, his clinical interests include diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.
- Board certified in Internal Medicine
- Graduated from Ross University School of Medicine in Portsmouth, Dominica, West Indies with a Doctor of Medicine degree
- Graduated from College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
- Completed an internal medicine residency at Elmhurst Hospital Center - Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Elmhurst, NY
- Member of American Medical Association (AMA)
Sign up for a clinical trial in Rockville, MD